From Lindos: Rhodes Old Town and Speedboat Trip to Symi

Rhodes Old Town and Symi make an appealing double act: one is a walled medieval city, the other a colorful harbor island reached by boat. This $55 day trip from Lindos gives you both without arranging separate buses, harbor transfers, and tickets yourself. I especially like the hotel pickup and the chance to explore independently. The main drawback is the length: with travel, waiting, and several pickup stops, your 12-hour day can stretch to 13 hours.

I also like the clear handoff between coach and boat, which keeps the day manageable even though you are on your own at both destinations. You get a useful introduction to Rhodes Old Town, then a scenic crossing to Symi, but this is transportation with free time, not a guided sightseeing tour. Delays at pickup can reduce your time in Rhodes.

Key points to know

• Two major stops in one day: See Rhodes Old Town in the morning and Symi in the afternoon.
• Hotel pickup from Lindos and nearby resorts: Pickup points cover Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, and nearby hotels.
• Independent sightseeing: You decide how to spend your time, with no guide accompanying you through either destination.
• Symi is the visual highlight: Expect a picturesque harbor, colorful buildings, restaurants, shops, and places to swim or relax.
• The boat is not always a small speedboat: The crossing can feel more like a fast ferry, and the top deck may get wet from sea spray.
• A very long day: The planned duration is 12 hours, but late pickups and return drop-offs can make the day longer.

One day, two very different sides of Rhodes

This excursion works because Rhodes Old Town and Symi offer such different experiences. In Rhodes, you walk through stone lanes, grand gates, squares, and medieval buildings. On Symi, you slow down beside a handsome harbor, eat lunch, browse, swim, or simply watch the boats.

The price is unusually low for a full-day outing that includes hotel transport and the return boat connection. At $55 per person, you are paying mainly for convenience and transportation, not personal guiding or admission tickets. That is good value if you want to see Symi from the Lindos area without booking a separate transfer to Rhodes or arranging a boat independently.

I would choose this trip for a first look at both places. I would not choose it if you want a relaxed day in one destination, a detailed historical tour, or enough time to explore every corner of Rhodes Old Town.

Pickup from Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, and Kiotari

The day begins with pickup at your hotel or a designated point near the main road. The service covers a wide stretch of the southeast coast, including Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, and hotels such as Lindos Royal Resort, Lindos Grand Resort and Spa, Aquagrand, Princess Andriana, Mayia Exclusive Resort and Spa, and Boutique 5 Hotel and Spa.

You should wait at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled time and look for the Sebeco Tours bus. The driver is instructed to wait only five minutes, so punctuality matters. This is not a minor detail. Several pickup points and late arrivals can eat into your limited morning in Rhodes.

The drive to Rhodes takes about one hour once you are on the coach, though the complete pickup process may take longer. The buses have been described as comfortable, and drivers have generally been friendly and helpful. One driver, Ivan, received particular praise for being informative and kind during the transfers.

The return drive can be slower than the morning journey. The coach may make more drop-offs on the way back, and some departures have reached hotels around 9 pm or later. If you are staying near Kiotari or Gennadi, expect the day to feel especially full.

Three hours in Rhodes Old Town, if the schedule holds

You are dropped near Rhodes Old Town and left to explore on your own. The planned free time is three hours, but the actual time can be closer to two or two and a half hours if the bus leaves late, stops for delayed pickups, or the boat connection requires an early return to the harbor.

That is enough for a taste, not a full visit. I would begin with the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master, then continue toward the harbor and the main shopping streets. You might also visit the clock tower or spend time in one of the old squares, but admission tickets are not included.

The Palace of the Grand Master and the Castle of the Knights are the obvious priorities if medieval Rhodes interests you. If you want to go inside paid attractions, check the time first. A queue, a slow walk through the old city, and the need to return to the meeting point can quickly turn three hours into a rushed visit.

If you prefer atmosphere to museums, use your time for a walk. The old city rewards simple wandering, with thick walls, arched passages, stone streets, and busy retail lanes leading toward the marina. A map is provided, which helps you get your bearings without a guide.

The most important rule is to return exactly where and when instructed. The group must connect with the boat, and the boat leaves on time. Several departures have offered roughly two hours in Rhodes rather than the full three hours described in the schedule, so plan your priorities before you arrive.

Collecting the boat ticket at Rhodes harbor

After your time in the old city, you return to the harbor for the crossing to Symi. In practice, you may need to collect a paper ticket from a kiosk before boarding. The ticket is held under your name, but this step is not always obvious, so listen carefully to the instructions and allow time for a queue.

The boarding process can feel informal. Seats are generally first come, first served, and families may not always sit together. On a busy return crossing, extra chairs have sometimes been placed inside, and the boat can feel crowded.

This is one place where a little preparation helps. Keep your booking details handy, stay with your group, and do not wander far from the boarding area. At Symi, note the exact return time. The departure is clearly scheduled and the boat will not wait for late arrivals.

An 80-minute crossing to Symi

The boat ride takes about 80 minutes each way. Despite the description of a speedboat, the vessel can be a fairly large, fast ferry rather than a small open boat. That is not necessarily a bad thing. You have more seating options, and the trip can feel stable and comfortable when the sea is calm.

The upper deck offers the best open views, but sea spray can be heavy. One passenger found the crossing very wet when sitting above, especially because of the spray created by the boat’s speed. If you want to stay dry, choose an interior or lower-level seat. If you enjoy wind, water, and wide views, the open rear area can be a fun place to sit.

The crossing itself is part of the appeal. The sea gives you a break from walking, and the return trip may coincide with sunset. Bring a light layer even in warm weather, since the moving boat can feel cooler than the shore.

The boat crew has generally been friendly, and the transfers are designed to connect with the coach at both ends. Still, this is a shared ferry service, not a private cruise. Do not expect commentary, reserved seating, or a small-group boating experience.

Three hours beside Symi’s beautiful harbor

Symi is the strongest reason to book this outing. Its harbor is lined with colorful, neoclassical-style houses rising up the hillsides, giving the town a distinctive appearance quite unlike Rhodes Old Town. From the waterfront, you can admire the buildings, find a restaurant, browse shops, or sit with a drink and watch the boats.

Three hours gives you enough time for a relaxed first visit. You can have lunch beside the water, walk along the harbor, and look for a swimming spot or beach. Some people have used the afternoon for a swim, while others have climbed steps toward the castle area for wider views.

I would not expect a packed sightseeing program on Symi. The town is primarily about its setting, waterfront meals, clear water, and easy strolling. Shops may close at certain times, and there are not many organized activities included in the visit. If you need museums, guided walks, or a long list of attractions, the afternoon may feel slow.

That quiet pace suits the right person. After a morning of streets and monuments, Symi offers time to sit down and enjoy the surroundings. I would bring swimwear, comfortable shoes, sun protection, and enough money for lunch and drinks. Food and beverages are not included.

The schedule can sometimes provide closer to four hours on Symi, depending on the day’s exact boat timing. That sounds generous, but remember that the earlier Rhodes visit may have been shortened. If you care more about Rhodes than Symi, this balance may disappoint you. If Symi is your priority, the arrangement works well.

Returning to Lindos after sunset

The return boat takes another 80 minutes. On a clear evening, the sunset views can be one of the nicest moments of the day. Once back in Rhodes, you meet the coach for the drive south.

The return boat may be fuller than the outbound crossing. Arrive at the meeting point early if you want a better chance of sitting together or finding a comfortable place. The coach then makes hotel and roadside drop-offs across the Lindos area.

The advertised duration is 12 hours, but a 13-hour day is possible. Pickup delays, a busy harbor, and the number of return stops all affect the finish time. I would avoid booking an evening dinner reservation or other fixed plans after this excursion.

What the $55 price really covers

At $55, the value is strong if you are staying south of Rhodes and want to visit Symi. The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Lindos and nearby resort areas
• Coach transportation
• Boat transportation to and from Symi
• A driver
• Free time in Rhodes Old Town
• Free time on Symi

You pay separately for entry tickets, lunch, drinks, and anything else you choose to buy. Since the trip does not include a guide, you should arrive with a rough plan for Rhodes Old Town and Symi.

A taxi or independent combination of transfers and boat tickets would likely require more planning, especially from Kiotari or Gennadi. The real saving here is not just money. It is the fact that the coach collects you near your hotel and gets you to the boat connection.

The low price also explains what the trip does not provide. You will not receive a detailed explanation of medieval Rhodes, a guided walk around Symi, reserved boat seats, or a personal escort throughout the day. Think of it as a coordinated transport package with sightseeing time.

Who will enjoy this day trip most?

I recommend it for visitors staying in Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, or Gennadi who want to see more of the island without renting a car. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who are comfortable navigating independently. One solo passenger found the clear arrangements reassuring, and families have managed the long day by resting on the coach and boat.

It also works well if Symi is high on your list. The boat ride, harbor views, lunch, and swimming time give you a useful first taste of the island at a low cost.

I would hesitate if you have mobility concerns related to walking in heat, steps, or uneven old-city streets. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the free-time sightseeing itself can still involve historic streets, crowded areas, and movement between transport points.

I would also think twice if your main goal is Rhodes Old Town. Two hours can be enough for the main streets and one major sight, but it is not enough for a careful visit to the palace, museums, walls, churches, harbor, and shopping lanes.

Practical tips for making the day work

• Be at your pickup point 10 minutes early. Late passengers can delay the whole group.
• Save the driver’s contact details in case the bus is delayed.
• Prioritize one or two sights in Rhodes before you arrive.
• Confirm where to collect the paper boat ticket at the harbor.
• Keep the return boat time visible on your phone.
• Choose a lower or inside seat if you want to avoid spray.
• Bring swimwear, water, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes.
• Carry cash or a card for entry tickets, food, and drinks.
• Do not schedule anything important for the evening.
• If you are traveling with children, use the boat and coach time for rest.

Should you book the Rhodes and Symi combination?

Book this trip if you want maximum sightseeing for a modest price and accept a long, self-guided day. The two destinations complement each other, the pickup service is useful, and Symi is a memorable reward after the morning in Rhodes.

Skip it if you want a slow holiday day, a guided history lesson, or extensive time in Rhodes Old Town. The best approach is to treat this as an efficient introduction, not a complete visit. Arrive on time, set realistic expectations, and give Symi enough attention to enjoy its harbor rather than racing through it.

FAQ

How long is the excursion?

The planned duration is 12 hours. Actual days can run to around 13 hours, depending on pickup delays, harbor timing, and the number of hotel drop-offs on the return journey.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from many hotels and designated points in Lindos and nearby areas, including Pefkos, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi, and Kalathos. You should wait at the main road 10 minutes before the scheduled time and look for the Sebeco Tours bus.

Is a guide included?

No. You explore both Rhodes Old Town and Symi independently. A map or information pack may be provided for Rhodes, but the activity does not include a guided walking tour.

How much free time do I get in Rhodes Old Town?

The planned schedule allows three hours. In practice, the available time may be closer to two or two and a half hours if the coach arrives late or must leave early for the boat connection.

How long is the boat ride to Symi?

The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way.

Is the boat a small speedboat?

Not always. The vessel can be a larger fast ferry. The open upper deck may receive considerable sea spray, while inside or lower-level seating offers better shelter.

Are meals and attraction tickets included?

No. Entry tickets, food, and drinks are not included in the price.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.